Why does the post office give people who send us junk mail a cheaper rate than us who have to pay first class?

Question

I am getting tired of getting junk mail and having to throw it out. It is a waste of time, money, and paper. I feel that if everyone had to pay the same as we do than there wouldn't be as much, if any junk mail. How do you feel about this matter?

Answer 1

I share your distaste at the waste of time and resources junk mail represents. They pay less because of volume of course, and I think the USPS makes most of its money from delivering advertising. When you get pre-paid envelopes, you can always stuff the junk they sent you in the envelope and mail it back to them. Just be sure your name and address isn't on anything you return.

Answer 2

Bulk rates. That's how it works. They make better money that way. Supply and demand. The Post Office couldn't care less if you are inconvenienced, or if it is a waste of paper. They operate just like any other business. Sure, we'd all be happy without junk mail but the Post Office wouldn't, and neither would advertisers.

Answer 3

Bulk (junk) mail doesn't fund first class, it is self funding, and as long as people buy from the junk mailers the situation won't change. To get off junk mail lists you can go to the Direct Mailers website but they are going to try and make you jump through hoops.

Answer 4

They offer a discount for bulk mailers because they are required (generally) to post their own mail. (Using and approved USPS postage meter.) They are also required to put additional routing (generally bar coded routing information) on the mailings to expedite the processing of the mail. It generates a lot of revenue for the post office, which is becoming an increasingly important source of revenue as more people use email.
Hope this helps.

Answer 5

You can get a special discounted first class rate if you have at least 250 letters to mail. They have to all be mailed at the same time. You could save money on Christmas cards that way.

Answer 6

Although they are paying less money per item, they are sending
a huge number of items so they are paying the post office
a huge amount of money.

Many companies will discount "good" customers - that is, customers
who use a service a lot and therefore produce lots of revenue.
The post office is no different.

If you sent thousands of letters a month, made sure that
they were all addressed with bar codes, I'm sure they'd give
you a discount too!

Answer 7

I AGREE!!!

They should have to pay by weight, or be charged a recycling fee or something. Hey, we never asked for this stuff to be sent to us! Just think of all the trees wasted. Less trees = less ozone + more global warming.

Let's tell Washington "Raise the cost(for junk mail)! Save the planet(and our time wasted throwing that crap out)!!!!!" ;)

Answer 8

when someone sends out bulk mail they are doing a lot of the post offices work for them theefore dont pay as much

Answer 9

because its called second class mail, they pay the postage on it make it razorr thinn, and, then pass the cost on too you threw there advertising rates, or bulk rates ettc, hey i hate it myself it plugs up my garbage disopsall, meaning my garbage can, i began shredding it, it cuts downe on the trash i haul too the curb etc.life is full of junke mail i hate it but my shredder sure help etc/

Answer 10

It's pretty much the same as the concept of wholesale. The more you order, the the cheaper the price you will be offered. Compared to us who buy stamps by piece...